Foreign

Chapter 36

The restaurant looks very festive. There is a very large Christmas tree and Christmas decorations everywhere. They've used a lot of gold, green and red. Just the way I like it. The place is full of candles so it smells amazing. I really love Christmas so I take a moment to look at it. That reminds me that I need to start making plans. We walk to a large table and there are just enough chairs for all of us. Josh helps me get a seat like a true gentleman and across the table I see Hero do the same for Melany. He's sitting right across from me, of course. Like there literally was no other seat than that one. I refuse to look his way. Ugh, if Mr Perlman wasn't important I would have changed tables. Hero is talking to Mr Perlman in this charming and confident voice he only uses for the press. I barely recognize him when he's like this and it's not the Hero I like. But we've all got jobs to do tonight. I'm very grateful for Josh and Brody. I know Brody wanted to sit next to Diego for dinner but he remained by my side.

"You're very quiet, are you okay?" Josh asks.

I turn to him and his blue eyes sparkle.

"Yeah, I just remembered I need to start making plans for Christmas."

"You don't have any Christmas plans?!" He sounds surprised.

"Ehm, no. My plans changed a bit."

He nods and I know he understands. His eyes shift to Hero for a second.

"Well, I'm throwing one hell of a New Year's Eve party. You're more than welcome to join!"

"In Australia?!"

He laughs.

"Yeah, that's where I live."

"Oh my god! I've always wanted to go to Australia! Are you sure?"

"Absolutely! You can stay at my parents' house. Brody is coming too."

I turn to Brody and he smiles.

"It will be so epic!" Brody claps his hands. Wow, New Year's Eve in Australia. That's a legendary way to start the new year.

Mr Perlman turns to us.

"Did I hear something about a New Year's Eve party?" he asks.

"Yes, I'm going back to Australia for the holidays and I'm throwing a legendary party." Josh doesn't mention me or Brody, probably to save Hero's feelings. But I'm done with that. He has made his choice.

"I'm really looking forward to it!" I try to sound excited. I mean, I am very excited because going to Australia has been on my bucket list forever but I'm trying to sound extra excited just to bug Hero. Now is not the time to be mature. He isn't playing fair either. Hero was just taking a sip of wine and he chokes. He starts coughing. I look at him with a smug face. Once he's recovered from the shock, his eyes are blazing. Oh if looks could kill, I'd be so dead. Josh looks shocked but he recovers quickly.

"Oh, are you spending the holidays in Australia, Charlotte?" Mr Perlman asks. He looks very uncomfortable with the change of atmosphere at the table.

"Yes, I'm going to Belgium for Christmas and then I'm flying to Australia. Josh invited me to stay with his family." This time I don't have any trouble smiling like a lunatic because I'm actually going to Australia! Hero startles us all by pushing his chair back.

"Excuse me for a second." He says with a cold voice. Before anyone can say anything, he leaves the table.

When he returns he looks calm. He takes his seat and Melany turns to him. She puts her hand on his leg and whispers something in his ear. He shakes his head. I turn my gaze back to my plate. We are no longer talking about my travel plans which seems to please him.

"Charlotte, after dinner, will you save a dance for me?" Mr Perlman asks. "I can't leave the party without dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room, after my Ruthie of course." He turns to his wife and he kisses her hand. Melany's face drops and she glares at me. Ha, in your face!

"Of course, Mr Perlman." I give him a broad smile.

"So what do you do as an assistant? Do you help Greg on set?"

"Ehm. I used to but now I just help out with the wardrobe or the catering department." That probably isn't making a very good impression. Wardrobe and catering? Mr Perlman wrinkles his forehead.

"Why aren't you helping on set anymore?" How do I answer this? I can't tell him about Melany but I also don't want him to think I can't handle a job on set.

"Was the job too much?" he urges.

"Well, I for one I'm glad she isn't on set anymore. I prefer someone more competent for the job," Melany says.

"Oh, Greg was very positive about Charlotte. What's your opinion, Hero?" Mr Perlman replies.

I snap my head up and look at Hero. Surely he's going to defend me. His jealous girlfriend was the whole reason I got removed from set! I didn't do anything wrong. But no, Hero just stares at us.

"Eh," he stammers, unsure what to say. He looks uncomfortable. I can't believe this! This is so unfair! Why isn't he defending me? Melany is completely destroying my future once again.

"That's bullshit," Josh says with a loud voice. "Charlotte was brilliant, Greg is right about that. She worked her ass off and she made damn sure we stuck to our schedule. I told you, she's the most promising assistant I've seen in years. She only got removed from set because Mel threatened to leave. She's just jealous. And Charlotte didn't cause a scene, she just did what Greg asked her to do because she's a professional."

Now Mr Perlman is the one looking uncomfortable. He clearly doesn't know what to say. He obviously didn't know about this.

"Don't worry, Mr Perlman," Josh continues. "As from tomorrow, Charlotte is my assistant. She'll be helping me with my lines. We need to keep the competent ones motivated!"

"That's right, young man," Mr Perlman says. "That's very right."

Dinner is finally over. It seemed to last forever. I can't wait to go back to my room. Hero's betrayal is a fresh wound to my already shattered heart. I'm leaving after this dance. Luckily, Mr Perlman is an excellent dancer. I'm not, obviously.

"Well, Charlotte, it was such a pleasure meeting you," Mr Perlman says. "I need to have a chat with Greg. The film obviously isn't doing well and if we're behind on schedule I'm only losing money. I hope you're as good as Josh says you are because I will advise Greg to take you back as an on set assistant."

I'm speechless. Oh yes!

"Really?"

"Yes. I've studied you tonight and you appear to be very professional. Melany tried to provoke you all night but you didn't say a thing. Based on that, I'm guessing Josh' story is true. We've had our problems with her before and this is the last straw. She signed a contract so she's sticking to that or I'll make sure she'll never work as an actress again."

I thank Mr Perlman for his trust. Finally something is going well for me! If I do this right, maybe he'll hire me for more films.

"Can I take over?" Josh taps on Mr Perlman's shoulder.

"Yes, I need to take my wife home."

Mr Perlman says goodbye to us and Josh takes his place.

"Thank you!" I say in his ear.

"What for?"

"You actually saved my career! Mr Perlman will talk to Greg!" I cheer.

"I can't believe Hero did that." Josh grits his teeth. Neither can I.